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Posts by Currian  

Joined: 22 May 2012 / Female ♀ 		Last Post: 9 Jan 2014
Threads: Total: 3 / In This Archive: 2
Posts: Total: 10 / In This Archive: 6 		From: USA, Columbus
Speaks Polish?: No, but learning

Displayed posts: 8
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Currian   
27 Aug 2012
Language / Polish Native speakers: Should I attempt the correct endings or just use the nominative form? [12]

Thanks for all the feedback! I made up that sentence about the herbata because that's the level of speech that's going to come out of my mouth when I try! I'm finding that I don't know enough polish verbs... I just don't want to end up being even less comprehensible if I use the wrong endings-- I don't want to think I'm communicating one thing, but I'm actually being more confusing because I'm using the wrong case.
Currian   
26 Aug 2012
Language / Polish Native speakers: Should I attempt the correct endings or just use the nominative form? [12]

I'll be in Poland trying out my Polish next month. I'm wondering if native speakers can tell me which would be better:

1. To attempt the correct declensions but get them wrong, or
2. If unsure to just say the word in nominative form?

Would a native speaker be able to understand what I was trying to communicate if I didn't put the right endings on my words? I will only be creating basic sentences, something like "Czy mogę mieć herbatę, proszę?" Does it make more sense to say "Czy mogę mieć herbata" or "Czy mogę mieć herbatu" (this is an example of a mistaken ending I might use.)

I'm trying to imagine it from my perspective: if a Pole attempting English were to ask me a question, would it be easier or harder for me to understand what they were trying to communicate if the words were in the correct order but missing the right prepositions, or if they had the correct prepositions but were in the wrong order? I think the second:

For example: "I am taking my dog to the park this afternoon." "I take this afternoon my dog to the park" is understandable if clumsy, but "I take dog to park afternoon" isn't as clear.

Thoughts, anyone?
Currian   
25 Jul 2012
Language / The most effective methods to learn the Polish language? [56]

I know! I think I've borrowed almost every Polish movie Netflix has to offer! Sometimes twice! I'll be watching along, catching every other word, feeling pretty confident-- and then I turn the subtitles off. Suddenly my comprehension goes down to "Dzien dobry", "nie", and "rozumiesz?" Oh well...
Currian   
24 Jul 2012
Travel / An American In Poland: where should I go, what to see? [9]

I hope you'll be adopting the buddy system or be in a group, or something. I wouldn't advise any chick to travel alone, anywhere she's not super-familiar. Heck, I wouldn't advise a dude to do so, either.

No worries: I'm actually going with my Dad, so buddy system is in place...but I'm hoping to explore a little on my own!

Thanks for all the ideas!

Also, can anyone tell me which court you would go to if you were charged with a crime like DUI, shoplifting or assault? I'm a criminal lawyer with an extra day in Warsaw, and I want to see what my job would be like over there.
Currian   
24 Jul 2012
Language / The most effective methods to learn the Polish language? [56]

Which is another facet of the trouble learning foreign languages in the US...we don't get the opportunity to use the languages we're studying on a consistent basis. Combine a grammar-centered approach with lack of practical use, and you're lucky to make any progress!
Currian   
23 Jul 2012
Travel / An American In Poland: where should I go, what to see? [9]

I'm coming to Poland for a 10-day bus trip in September. The itinerary is full of touristy things, but I might duck that stuff if I can find better stuff to do! We'll be in Krakow, Zakopane, Poznan, Wrocław, Gdansk and Warsaw. Are there restaurants or coffee shops that I can't miss? Where are the great local bars? I want to go to ordinary places like the drugstore or the public library to see a slice of daily life. I'm learning a little Polish, and I want to try it out!

Suggestions and recommendations, please! Dziękuję!!
Currian   
14 Jul 2012
Language / The most effective methods to learn the Polish language? [56]

I've been using the Michel Thomas method CDs...they don't help with reading, writing or comprehension, but I feel confident enough to express myself (which is more than I can say for my college classes in Russian and German!) I've been supplementing with other things-- flashcards, website quizzes, etc. I wouldn't say M.T. is the best method, since it only focuses on one aspect, but at that aspect it's great! (We'll find out how well it works when I travel to Poland this fall!)